Tripod, particularly applicable to photographic cameras



Oct, 6, 1942. v. E. WHITMAN ,2

TRIPOD PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO PHOTOGRAPHIG CAMERAS Filed Jan. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR.

vqfigs Oct. 6, 1942. v. E. WHITMAN TRIPOD PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Filed Jan. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 @vj II 64 I A I W 83 as if I 39 1| I Q m: 69

.a; 7: .5. 50 48 in? mufwgg as 45 74C 78 aoa9 4s 45 a "Tm so o 43 WE W 46 46 BY VWwnE Whz'firnan Och 1942- v. E. WHITMAN 2,297,927

TRIPOD PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Filed Jan. 2'7, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 l/W? I;

"fig:

vlgi ii 87 FI' JIIMHII i X \V --as 1%,

INVENTOR BY VzrzwnEM/Fa'iman Oqt. 6, 1942. v. E. WHITMAN 2,297,927

TRIPOD PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERAS Filed Jan. 27, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Oct. 6, 1942 TRIPOD, PARTICULARLY APPLICABLE TO PHOTOGBAPHIC CAMERAS Vernon E. Whitman, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to The Folmer Graflex Corporation, Rochester, N. Y., acorporation of Delaware Application January 27, 1941, Serial No. 376,018

11 Claims. (01. 248-186) in horizontal section, to show more clearly the ,construction of the severalparts, particularly the leg inges;

Fig. 3 represents the tripod vertical member locking nut partially in vertical section;

Fig. 4 is an elevational detail of one of the leg inner clutch members;

spreading of the legs when weight is placed on the tripod; and to provide a head for the tripod having hinged legs pinned thereto, together with means to provide fixed tension on the legs with respect to the tripod head at all times.

As above indicated, the tripod is herein disclosed as an all-metal tripod.

Referring first particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the tripod head is represented at 20, and is therein shown as provided with substantially radially extending bosses 2|, 2|, to receive preferably three tripod-leg, hinge members, severally indicated at 22, and each hinged to the tripod top 20 .by a suitable hinge pin 23. Each of the said leg hinge members 22 is provided with a stop member .24 desirably in the shape of an integral bell Fig. 5 is an elevation of a tripod having a I camera attached thereto, the legs being adjusted for a low position of the tripod;

Fig. 6 is a detail partially in vertical section, showing the construction of the leg tubular members and clamping means therefor;

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the tripod showing the vertically extending member reversed to support a camera below the tripod head;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the tripod when in a folded condition, being partially in vertical section, to show the tripod adapted for use when the vertically extending member is not provided;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the tripod having the legs fully extended and the vertically extending member also partially extended;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail in elevation of a part of the tripod head, showing the hinge member of one of the tripod legs; and

Fig. 11 is an elevation of the tripod when completely folded.

There has long been need for an all-metal tripod strongly constructed, and foldable into a compact package, and at the same time having sufficient adjustment so that a camera may be supported thereon within a few inches from the floor or six feet or higher above the floor. Such needs are supplied by the invention herein disclosed.

Among the objects of the invention are to provide a tripod having a centrally extending member, so as substantially to increase its over-all height; to provide adjustable legs that, when clamped into'position, are free from shake and slipping; to provide a tripod with means for positioning the legs at a predetermined distance crank, best indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 as hinged to the leg hinge member 22 by pin 25. The said tripod head 20 is provided with a series of pads 26, 26, the appropriate one of which is engaged by the corresponding stop member 24 when the leg hinge member is swung in a contraclo'ckwis'e direction about the hinge pin 23, viewing Fig. 1.

In order to permit each tripod leg to be swung to more nearly a horizontal position, the appropriate stop member 24 is adapted to be pushed rearwardly (contraclockwise) into the position shownin dotted lines in Fig. 1, thus allowing the said stop member 24 to pass the corresponding pad 26. When the said stop member 24 is in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the movement of the leg or legs of the tripod in an outward direction will be arrested by a stop or stops 24 and pad or pads 26, thus preventing any spreading of the tripod legs.

Each tripod leg is designated generally at 21, and is made up of three sections, namely, the upper, the intermediate and the lower section. The said upper tubular section is indicated at 28, and is fitted over a reduced diameter portionl! of the corresponding leg hinge member 22, and is attached thereto in any suitable or well known manner, as, for example, by shrinking the tubular section 28 onto the reduced diameter portion 29. The said intermediate tubular section 30 is provided with a guide member or bushing 3| having a reduced diameter portion 32 fitted into the intermediate tubular section 30 and keyed thereto by means of a through-pin 33. The said reduced diameter portion 36 fitted into the 'said lower tubular section 34' and held thereto by means of a through-pin 31. The said lower sec- Irom the center of the tripod so as to prevent tion is formed as a tube of a smaller outside diameter than the insidediameter of the said intermediate section 30, but the said guide member or bushing 35 has a close fit to the inside diameter of the intermediate section 30. This construction provides a free non-binding action on the tubes as they are telescoped within each other: The structure and fitting of all the tubular sections and the guide members for all three tripod legs are desirably precisely the same, one with another. 3

Referring particularly to Fig. 6 and also to Fig. 1, there is shown asattached to the upper section tube 28 an inner clutch member'designated generally as 38 (more clearly shown in detail in Fig. 4) It is composed of a tubular section having an enlarged upper body section 39 bored out to receive the reduced diameter end 28 of the corresponding tripod leg 22. Joined with the said upper body section 33 is a threaded portion 40, and Joined with such threaded portion is a conical or externally tapered clutch member d! having a suitable number of lengthwise extending slots 42, 42. Threaded over the inner clutch member 38 is a clutch sleeve 43, the upper end whereof is bored out to override the upper end 39 of the said inner, clutch member 38. The lower end of the said clutch sleeve43 is provided with an internally tapered end formation 44 toengage the externally tapered end 4!. of the inner clutch member 38. As the said clutch sleeve 43 is turned in a clockwise direction, the internally tapered formation 44 is caused to be distance to engage on the inner-clutch is withdrawn 9. suificient the member or bushing 3! member 38.

To the lower end of the lower-section tube 34, as best. shown in Figs. 5 and 6, is attached a removable member 43 having a knurled knob' formation", and to the lower end of the said removable member 46 is attached a rubber foot 48. The upper end of the said removable member 46, which is engaged by the lower-section tube 34, is provided with a point (not herein shown).

The said removable member 26 can be withdrawn from the lower-section tube 3t and turned end for end, thus providing pointed ends for each of the tripod legs in a manner not necessary further to describe.

' Again referring to Figs. 1 and 2, for the disclosure of an important feature of the invention, the tripod head 20 is provided with a suitable, preferably large, centrally located hole or opening through which passes a large-diameter, tubular support member 49 having a radially extending disk-like flange 5G overlying head 20. Projecting upward fromthe disk-like flange 5 0 is a cylindrical boss 55 provided with internal threads 52. The said tubular support moved upwardly on the conical or outwardly tapered formation 4| due to the action of the threaded portion 40 of the inner clutch member 38 and the internal thread 45 of the said clutch member 43, thus clamping the intermediatesection provided by the tube 30 securely to the upper section tube 28. The intermediate-section tube 30 is also provided with a clutch of similar structure for the purpose of clamping the lowersection tube 34 to the intermediate-section tube 30.

It will be evident from the description thus far given of the structure that each tripod leg can be extended to any position and then be securely clamped. Since the intermediate section tube 30 is provided with aguide member or bushing 3| and the lower-section tube 34 is provided'with a guide member or bushing 35, there will be practically no play or side movement in any of the said tubes or sections when the clutches therefor are in their locked position. The said guide members or bushings 3| and also prevent the corresponding intermediate-section tube 30 and lower-section tube 34 from pass- 7 ing beyond their respective .clutches.

member 43 is also provided below the flange with external threads 53 receiving a nut 54,

which holds the tubular support member 49 in engagement with the said tripod head 28. In order to prevent rotation of the said disk-like fiange 50 with respect to the tripod head 29, there is provided a dowel pin 55 The nut 54 also holds in position a flat ring-like spring 58 having a series of radially extending fingers 5?, ELbest adapted to impart a downward pressure on the tripod-head leg hinge members 22, 22, the number of spring fingers 51 therefore equalling the number of leg hinge members 22. Passing through the axial opening of the tubular support member 49 is a long support tube 58 having attached to its upper end a tripod disk or support plate 59 held to the support tube 58 by means of a pin 60. The said disk or support plate 59 is provided with a downwardly extending boss 6|, the lower end of which has an opening for the passage of a clamp screw rod or cameraattaching rod 62. The upper part of the said opening in the boss BI is counterb'ored to receive a coiled spring 63 surrounding the said rod 62, the upper end whereof is provided with a collar As hereinbefore pointed out, the. openings in the upper-section tube 28 and the intermediatesection tube 30 are slightly larger than the outer diameters of the intermediate-section tube '30 and lower-section tube 34 respectively, and each member or bushing 3| has an easy running fit in the upper section tube 28, and each member or bushing 35 has an easy running fit in the intermediate-section tube 30. The said inner clutch members are of such diameter as also to provide an easy running fit on the intermediatesection tube 30 and the lower-section tube 34 respectively. Therefore, the lower-section tube 34 will be stopped by the inner diameter of the clutch member 38 by the. act of engaging the member or bushing 35 when the lower-section tube 34 is withdrawn a suilicient distance. The

' clutch or chuck 64 is held to the said rod 62 by means of a pin 65. The upward movement of the said cameraattaching rod 62 is limited by a second collar ,63 held to the said rod 62 by means of a pin 61-.

The lower end of the tubular support member 49, as shown in Fig. 1, is provided with a reduced diameter portion 68 over which isfitted aninner ternal threaded part 10 and a lower tapered end H having a structure preferably similar to that disclosed in Fig. 4. An outer clutch member 12 having an internal thread 73 is threadedto the said inner clutch member 63 to engage the threads 10 thereon, and the lower end of the outer clutch member 12 is provided with an internal taper 14 engaging the outwardly tapered portion H of the inner clutch or chuck member 69 and which is caused to tighten about the said support tube 58 when the outer clutch member.

12 is turned in a clockwise direction. The said clutch serves either as a guide means that can the said tripod member 83 provided with an ex-- be adjusted so as to fit closely the support tube 58 or actually to lock the position of the support tube 58. In general practice, the said clutch is adjusted to provide a close fit around the said support tube 58, but allowing the latter to operate vertically therein, thu providing a brace for the said support tube 58.

As best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, there is threaded into the cylindrical boss 5| an upper clutch member 15 that is provided with a cantrally depending tubular-member 18 having a threaded portion 11 and a lower, inner clutch member 18 provided with lengthwise extending radial slots 18, 18. The vertically extending support tube 58 passes through the said lower, inner clutch member 18, and when the said upper clutch member 15 is turned in a clockwise direction, the said lower, inner clutch member 18 collapsed and the support tube 58 is in its lowermost position, the structure then appears as Fig. 8, provided a disk 86 having a downwardly extending boss 81 provided with an external thread 88. The said boss 81 is cylindrically recessed to receive a coiled spring 63 and a collar 84. The said disk 86 is held to the tripod head 28 by means of a clamping nut 88 having an internal thread 88. The said clamping nut thus clamps the spring 56 and the disk 88 securely in place to the tripod head 28. When thisstructure is caused to be closed by reason of the tapered is used, the said clamping rod 82 is, of'course, shortened up as shown in Fig. 8.

The tr ipod herein disclosed has a structure that assures absolute rigidity regardless, of the position in'which it is used, and provides a vertically extensible supporting member that is also held very rigidly and without any shaking even though fully extended. The entire structure can.

be manufactured at a reasonable cost and yet In Fig. 5, the lower end of the vertical support tube 58 is, shown as having atits lower end a handle 8| which isattached to the clamp screw rod or camera-attaching rod 62 that passes through the support tube 58. As best shown in Figs. 1 and 8, the upper end of the clamp screw or camera-attaching rod 82 is provided with a threaded end 82 engaging the camera or other object to be held to the tripod. In Fig. 5, there is represented a camera 83 mounted on a tripod and held by the said threaded end 82.

The structure of the clamp screw or cameraattaching rod 82 is such that the slight upward pressure imparted by the coiled spring 83 causes the said rod 62 to be 'held in the position shown in Fig. 1, so that the threaded end 82 of the said rod 62' extends above the disk or support plate 58 for engaging the camera or other object to be supported upon the tripod. This structure proa. contraclockwise direction, the support tube 58 i can be moved vertically through the tripod head so as further to elevate the camera, as shown in Fig. 9. i

It may be desirable at times to support the camera very close to the floor or ground. This can be accomplished by first loosening the upper clutch or chuck-member 15, removing the vertically extending support tube 58 from the tripod head, and then reversing and inserting the said support tube 58 from the bottom of the tripod head. The said support tube 58 is then adjusted to position, and it is securely clamped by turning the said upper clutch or chuck member I5 in a clockwise direction. When the tripod is so adjusted, it will appear as shown in Fig. 7. A felt washer 85 is placed in a recess in the upper clutch or chuck member 15 to act as a bumper when the said support tube 58 is lowered.

When the camera 83 is removed from the tripod and the legs of the tripod are folded up or I'll maintain a high order of precision. The tripod is an all-metal one, nothing but metal being employed, except for the felt pads and washers, which may, if desired, be omitted.

Having thus described two embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising incombination; a, tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto to be swung in and out, said tripod head having a vertical opening therethrough, a tubular support member 48 received in said opening, a support tube 58 received within and movable lengthwise in said member 48, and extending above the upperv nd thereof, a camera receiving plate secured at the upper end of said tube 58, and a clutch member positioned above said tripod head below said camera receiving plate, and engaging said support tube 58 to hold the same in place in said support member 48.

2. A combination according to claim 1, but in which the support member 48 has an upper flange 58 received on the tripod head and with which said clutch member is engaged.

3. A combination according to claim 1, but in which an article-attaching rod 52 is provided within said support tube 58, which rod extends through said camera receiving plate and is there provided with a projecting portion for the reception of a camera or the like, and by which the camera is removably secured against said camera receiving plate,

4. A' combination according to claim 1, but in which an article-attaching rod 82 extends lengthwise through said support tube 58 and has means at its end for detachably receiving the camera or the like, said camera receiving plate with the tube 58 being removable from and reversible in the tripod head, so that the camera or the like may be supported either above or below the tripod head. I

5. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising in combination; a tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto, said head through, a tubular support member 49 received 1 in said opening, and having an upper disk-like 'having an opening extending vertically therehaving an opening extending vertically therethrough, a tubular support member 49 received in said opening, and having an upper flange 59 received on said tripod head, and a support tube 58 slidable in said support member 49 and having 5 a top support plate 59 on which the camera. or the'like is received, and against which it is detachably secured, said plate 59 being provided with a substantially central opening, and a camera-attaching rod 62 supported in the opening of the said support plate 59 and having its upper end protruding through said plate 59 and there having a formation for detachably engaging the camera or other article,

6. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising in combination; a tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto, said head having an opening extending vertically therethrough, a tubular support member 49 received in said opening, and having an upper flange 59 received on said tripod head and having aboss 5i extending upward from said flange 59 and internally threaded, a clutch member l5 having a threaded part received in said boss 5i and having a tapered formation engageable with said support member 49, the latter having an interior tapered formation sofengaging said tapered formation of said clutch, and a support plate 59 against which the camera or the like is to be detachably supported, said plate 59, being received over said clutch member i5 and having an article-attaching rod 52 supported there- I in and received within said tubular support member 49 and having a formation at its end detachably to engage the camera or other article. i 7. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising in combination; a tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto, said head 1 having an opening extending vertically there- 0 flange receivable upon the tripodhead, a support tube 58 slidable in said support member 49, and having aplate at its uppere'nd, above said flange, against which the cameraor the like may be detacha'bly received, a. clutch member supported upon said support member 49 and engaging said support tube 58, and an article-attaching rod 52 supported within said support tube 59 with a threaded protruding end extending through said disk-like flange and said plate to be detachably engaged by the camera or other article.

8. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising in combination; a tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto, said head through, a tubular support member 49 received in said opening, a clutch member supported at the lower end of said support member 49, a support'tube 58 within said tubular support 49 and 60 engaged by said clutch member, a support plate 59 against which the camera or other article is received and removably supported, said plate 59 having a vertical passage therethrough, and an article-attaching rod 62 extending through said 65 passage of the support plate 59 and threaded so as detachably to engage a camera or like article, the said support tube 58 together with the support plate 59 and parts carried thereby being removable from the support member 49 a member 15.

and reversible therein end for end, so that the camera or like article may be detachably suptrlpod head. Y L r 9. A tripod for photographic cameras or the ported bysaid tube 59 either above or below thelike comprising in combination; a tripod head an upper flange 59 received upon the tripod head and having a boss 5! internally threaded, a support tube 58 slidable in the member 49 and having a top support plate 59 onwhich the camera or the like is received, said plate 59 having a depending boss 6i provided with a central passage, an article-attaching rod 62 extending through the vertical passage in the support plate 59 and a coiled spring 63 within said boss 6| and confined therein so as normally to project said rod 62 for engagement of the protruding end thereof with the camera or other'article.

10. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising in combination; a tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto, said head having an opening extending vertically there- .through, a tubular support member 49 received in said opening, said support member 49 having an upper flange 59 received upon the 'tripodhead and having -a boss-5i internally threaded, a support tube58 slidable in the member 49 and having a top supportplate 59 on which the camera or the like is received, said plate 59 having a depending .boss 5i provided with a central passage, an article-attaching rod 62 extending through the vertical passage in the support plate 59, a coiled spring 53within said boss 6! and confined therein so as normally to project'fsaid rod 62 for engagement of the protruding end thereof with the camera or other article, and a clutch member'59 directly received on said support member 49 and having means constituting 'it either a guide means or lock .means to hold the support tube 58 in selected position of vertical adjustment.

11. A tripod for photographic cameras or the like comprising in combination; a tripod head having a series of legs hinged thereto, said head having an opening extending vertically therethrough, a tubular support member 49 received in said opening, said support member 49 having an upper flange 50 received upon the tripod head and having a boss 5! internallyethreaded, a support tube 58 slidable in the member 49 and vhav-- ing a top sup'portplate 59 on which the camera or the like is received, said plate 59 having a j depending boss 6| provided with a central passage, an article-attaching rod '62 extending through the vertical passage in the support plate 59, a coiled spring 63 within said bass GI and confined therein so as normally to project said rod 92 for engagement of the protruding end thereof with thecamera or other article, and a clutch member 15 of disk-like form having a depending central part 16 externally threaded and having a clutch formation I8, the said tube 58 extending throughsaid clutch formation 18 and adjustable to any desired height in said clutch YER-NON E. WHITMAN. 

